Could Inter bounce back and make a serious title challenge this season? David Swan sees the parallels between them and Juventus 2010-11.

They both endured below-par seasons that were far from the expectations usually placed upon the two clubs. They both finished on 58 points, missing out on the Champions League having employed highly-rated Italian Coaches that had performed well at smaller clubs. Juventus set the template in 2010-11, and Inter followed it last season.

Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, while they were imitating Juventus from the previous campaign, the Bianconeri were setting a new example – how to make the most of a bad year and ensure one poor season does not become two or three on the bounce.

Juventus were brave last summer – although with a new stadium and new revenues forthcoming they could afford to be – and were ruthless with the changes they made to the playing staff. The loaning of Felipe Melo, a very limited player, but an individual who was one of the best midfielders in Serie A during his last term at the club, symbolised the attitude and single-minded nature required to turn things around so drastically.

Fellow midfielders Alberto Aquilani and MomoSissoko were also let go, meaning a complete renewal was required in that department. Others who had played a large part in the season, like VincenzoIaquinta and full-backs Marco Motta and Fabio Grosso, were essentially excluded from the squad very early on, and later transferred in the case of Iaquinta and Motta.

The lesson is simple – do not fear becoming ruthless and do not be afraid of making changes, however widespread. Now, just a year later, Inter are in that same spot, having to make modifications after a poor season.

Julio Cesar and Maicon have been two of their best players during the years of winning trophies and there were times last season where the right-back looked to be returning to his best form. That the club are so willing to see both follow Lucio out the door suggests they have developed the cutthroat mentality that rebuilding requires.

It is not just the older players – Andrea Poli’s loan has not been made permanent, similar to that of Aquilani at Juventus a year ago, although this is a little more surprising given the age and relatively low transfer fee involved. Angelo Palombo too, who some feel had something to offer the squad, has also been sent packing.

There is clearly no lack of courage at Inter. They know alterations are necessary, and just like Juve were, they are happy to back a young, relatively inexperienced Coach with his squad requirements and line-up renovations. The problems they will encounter that their Turin rivals did not will be financial – having spent just over €20m acquiring Rodrigo Palacio and SamirHandanovic, plus cash confirming FredyGuarin’s transfer, there is a feeling the money has run out.

Gaby Mudingayi smacks of a transfer on the cheap and mimics the mercato strategy of their city cousins than summer 2011 Juventus. MatiasSilvestre appears for all the world to be a player they want, but the reluctance to pay a fee has seen them loan the 27-year-old for the season.

That said, Juventus also purchased some squad fillers on the cheap, but got away with it due to a fantastic injury record that meant those players were not needed often. That record was aided by the lack of European football, leading to less games and longer rest periods.

Inter do not quite have Europe off their schedule – everyone’s favouriteEuropa League looms large on the calendar, but it is a fair bet that Inter will not be taking this completely seriously, if at all, until the latter stages. The travel is an inconvenience, but the use of mental energy – something highlighted by GennaroGattuso as one of the reasons why midweek Champions League games take their toll – will be minimal.

Until then, they can pull a Juventus and pour all of their resources into Serie A. And we know how that has the potential to end.

Whay Inter need new stadium? San Siro is ok and 4 mollion rent to Milano City is OK (Juventus still have to pay back credit for stadium)

on the 26th July, 2012 at 9:08am

Jae

It'll take Inter a few seasons to really challenge consistently at the top. Juve's turnaround last season was incredible, but it took a couple crappy years to get them to really change like they needed to, which was top to bottom. Juve also had a strong backbone of players to build off of like Buffon, Chiellini, and Marchisio. Inter only has Sneijder. Plus Inter does have a European commitment. I expect a top four finish for Inter, but not for them to challenge for the scudetto.

on the 24th July, 2012 at 4:28pm

Chiang

Inter's finance can significantly boost if inter has a new stadium, otherwise, there is no chance to compete woth juve and other european giants

Inter need a new, but also big stadium. I think the new stadium must have at leaest 50k seats. Despite juve is the only italian team enjoying a good matchday income, the juventus arena is too small. This should be a mistake juve made. Look at how fast their season ticket was sold out, they can still smanage to sell tickets for extra 10k seats

on the 24th July, 2012 at 2:44pm

Adam

Hossein Mehdi.......with that many players you would more than likly win every game haha

on the 24th July, 2012 at 9:56am

Hossein Mehdi

Please moratti get this line up playing and you will win serie a and EL...4-2-3-1Handanovic, zanetti/m'baye/jonathon, silvestre/rannochia, Samuel/Juan, kolarov/zanetti/naga/m'baye, guarin, sahin/cambiasso, palacio/Alvarez, sneijder, coutinho/Lucas, milito

on the 24th July, 2012 at 7:54am

cocoliche

Football-Italia = Juventinos and Milanistas

Every article I've read here is biased in favour of Milan or Juve. What exactly is the point to this article? Man, Inter could be great again... how? By being like Juve of course! This is pretty ridiculous on the face of it.

It's amazing what Juventus did last season, what, with their packed schedule and all. Inter just need to keep being Inter. They only had one bad season in nearly a decade. Something football-italia seems to forget.

Juventus new stadium, Inter need a new stadium, that's a big difference.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 7:53pm

Sticklebricks

It is a bit mean to criticize Inter for running out of money. Inter are the ones being responsible with money recently whereas Juventus have spent a lot of money, spread across a lot of players. Taking Silvestre on loanis a smart move. If he is good they can buy him, if not send him back to Palermo, much like Zarate last year.

Marcello Mastroianni - you may want to read the sentence you quote from Football Italia again and think it over. I think you owe them an apology!

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 5:29pm

Adam

I would also like to say I love serie a.. will still watch it im no hater just think that by losing players like Ibra , T.Silva , Lavezzi, Nesta , Del piero , Gattuso, Inzaghi the list goes on,its only going to make the league weeker..on the flip side maybe the youngsters will shine and get a chance? Oh but Wait Verratti wsa sold abroad with Borini cuz there is more money for the clubs to use and Serie a clubs are crying out for it.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 5:26pm

Adam

it wont take Inter years to challange again??!! lets look at this.....Milan are in crisis apart from Juve who else can do anything? Lavezzi has gone from napoli, Inter will finish 2nd to Juve, Milan 4th behind Napoli, all will be out of europe by xmas maybe Juve will go futher.. truth is Italian football is now unfortunetly weeker than ever. Every club bar Juve are crying about no money ect the French league will take over in terms of quality in the next season or so.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 5:23pm

Marco

Need somewhere to voice my disgust about milan! I don't agree with violence but this time the ultras should smash everything at this scandolous and disguating greed showed by belusconi, explain to me what the richest man in italy needs another 60million for??? He pocketed the kaka money and has done the same again this time. A disgrace. I don't agree with the Arab invasion on football but milan need to be sold!

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 5:08pm

Anonymous

Silvestre is a loan because Inter already have Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Bianchetti, Mbaye (who can play across the back), Chivu, and Samuel already on roster.

It's not a sign of weakness to loan a player to redeem if you have lots of players at the position and would like to see if you are forced to spend a transfer fee.

I agree that this is written by a juventino - where is the outrage or snickering at the weakness of Juve for only buying half of Asamoah and Isla?

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 4:40pm

Johnson

The fact that Inter have only signed Silvestre on loan shows they have no cash. I'm unconvinced by Inter';s market moves so far. Palacio is average, Mudingayi is all that either. It will take Inter years to fight for the titel again. I just hope that Stramaccioni isn't the one who gets the blame when it all goes wrong.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 4:09pm

Kane Davies

I don't think Inter or their signings are good enough to compete for top 3 never mind the league title, their signings are just quick little fixes and its evident that they have no money to spend on class, I predict a 4th or 5th place finish for Inter.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 3:40pm

Anonymous

Once again, Football-Italia gets it wrong.

Inter won't spend what they don't receive. Motta, Lucio, Pandev, selling co-owns, Cordoba retiring, Samuel and Chivu re-signing for less contributed to the buys of Silvestre - loan with a right to buy, Palacio, Handanovic, Gabi and Guarin.

Inter don't value Poli at @8 mil that Samp does, which is why he wasn't redeemed. Mistake or not, they see Poli as a dm, which they already have or can buy cheaper.

This piece reads like a Juve supporter wrote it

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 3:27pm

Lickthelips

Absolutely Juventino you cannot compare Inter to Juve ever, EVER! They both incorporate two different mentalities to the game, always have. Juventus are known for winning, its in there DNA. Inter fluke seasons here and there. No consistency to them. Conte is a ex-captain, a man whos won promotion. Not a nobody whos won under 19 competitions! You can apply the poor season syndrome to several teams, Inter well.... well Inter are Inter lol. Always been the same.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 3:13pm

Anonymous

Sorry, who in the WORLD felt angelo palumbo offered something to inter?

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 2:53pm

Marcello Mastroianni

Wow, football-italia .. really? "Matias Silvestre appears for all the world to be a player they want, but the reluctance to pay a fee has seen them loan the 27-year-old for the season." Loaned out? Really .. where to? I'd love to know ... because i saw him feature just this weekend in the TIM cup. Please enlighten us all. [Football Italia - He's on loan at Inter from Palermo.]

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 2:44pm

juventino

it is wrong to attribute the large changes led to the scudetto. Juventus had played badly the previous season and the season before under Claudio Ranieri,Ciro Ferrara, Zaccheroni and Gigi DelNeri. and mind you the management also overhauled the squad under these coaches. The difference was that they could not instill the Juventus mentality into the squad.

Conte was successful in doing that. So now it is Stramaccioni's chance.

on the 23rd July, 2012 at 1:54pm

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